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Hird says Bombers ready to fire

In good shape: James Hird is confident his team's unbeaten run this season will see them beat Collingwood in the Anzac Day clash.

Getty Images, Robert Cianflone

Essendon coach James Hird says his team is perfectly positioned to knock over Collingwood in their Anzac Day AFL clash.

The Bombers have only won once in the past seven annual MCG blockbusters, back in 2009.

Unbeaten this season, they feel they have now got the confidence and the midfield to match the Magpies and contain last year's game-breaker Dane Swan.

"We think our midfield's a quality midfield," Hird said.

"It's got a good mix of up-and-coming players who have earned their spot and seasoned professionals like Brendon Goddard, Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton and Heath Hocking so we think it's well-positioned."

In last year's one-point win by Collingwood, Swan had 42 possessions to win the Anzac Medal as best on ground.

Hird said he had to be stopped.

"We're not the only club that has trouble with Dane," Hird said.

"He's an excellent player and we'll look at things to bring that (possession count) down to a reasonable level."

Selection issues

Essendon were also unbeaten heading into last year's fixture but the coach said they were better placed now, with more fit players pushing for selection.

"We're playing better football than this time last year.

"We may have been 4-0 (last year) but if we look back at the games we were just beating sides and probably lucky to win a couple of those games.

"I think the way we're playing and defending is a lot better."

Stewart Crameri will return from a knee problem to replace the injured Michael Hurley, which may delay the debut of 19-year-old Joe Daniher.

While Hird welcomes back his key forward, Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has ruled out an Anzac Day return for first choice ruckman Darren Jolly who has missed the club's last two matches due to a rib injury.

Buckley is not willing to risk Jolly, who he says will focus on gaining fitness through the reserves.

"If you look at his last seven weeks, he's probably played 70 per cent of two games," Buckley said.

"He's missed a lot of footy, and missed a lot of training. We'll just give him the opportunity to get up to speed, and trust the incumbents at the moment.

"Darren needs solid training, he needs the football."

Veteran ruckman Ben Hudson, who has filled in admirably for Jolly in the Magpies' past two matches, is in line to play if he has recovered well enough from the weekend's 34-point win over Richmond.

Buckley said defender Nathan Brown, who injured his groin against Richmond, and experienced duo Ben Johnson and Tyson Goldsack were over their injury concerns and would be considered for selection.